But that you may see, where all this error comes from, accusing pleasure (and praising pain), I will open the whole thing and explain it, which is said by that inventor of truth and quasi-architect of happiness (life). No one despises pleasure itself, (because it is pleasure), or hates it or flees it, but because great pains follow them, (who do not know how to follow pleasure by reason), nor is there anyone, who, because pain itself, (loves), pursues, (wills to obtain it), but because times of this kind never occur, so that labor and pain seek some great pleasure. For to the smallest extent, who of us undertakes any physical exercise (laborious), unless to obtain some benefit from it? Who, however, can rightly reproach him, (who desires to be in that pleasure), which results in no annoyance, or him, (who flees pain), from which no pleasure is produced? But truly we accuse and lead them to just hatred, who, having been charmed and corrupted by the flatteries of present pleasures, who are to be excepted from pains and annoyances, blinded by greed, do not provide, (similarly are in fault), who abandon their duties through the softness of the soul, that is, the flight of labors and pains. and the distinction between these things is indeed easy and expedient. For in free time, when the option of choosing is free for us, ( and nothing prevents it), except that which we most like, ( we can do), all pleasure must be assumed, all pain must be repelled. But at certain times, either by duty or by necessity, so that pleasures are rejected and annoyances are not (rejected). And so these things are held here by a wise choice, so that either by rejecting (greater) pleasures in others it may be followed, or by enduring (more) pains that are more severe.
